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Mock Draft: Who goes in 1st round tonight?

Callis, Mayo agree on predictions for top 6 picks

By
Jonathan Mayo and Jim CallisMLB.com

Welcome to MLB Pipeline's penultimate projection of the first round of the 2018 Draft.

This time, we've combined our mocks into one, for easy comparing and contrasting purposes. You'll have to wait until pick No. 7, however, to see any divergence, as we have the same order for the top six selections.

Welcome to MLB Pipeline's penultimate projection of the first round of the 2018 Draft.

This time, we've combined our mocks into one, for easy comparing and contrasting purposes. You'll have to wait until pick No. 7, however, to see any divergence, as we have the same order for the top six selections.

It all starts with Auburn's Casey Mize remaining at No. 1 (Tigers), where he's been since we started the "mock draft season."

MLB Network's Draft preview show begins at 6 p.m. ET, leading to the start of the real action at 7 p.m. There will be a total of 78 picks made today, the first 43 of those broadcast live on MLB Network, while every pick -- from those 43 and the remaining 35 on Day 1, to all 900 on Days 2 and 3 of the Draft -- will be streamed live on MLB.com.

We will update this one last time, with names only, shortly before the Draft gets underway.

1. TigersMayo: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn -- The Tigers cut down their list of names under consideration to three on Sunday, with Georgia Tech's Joey Bart and Florida's Brady Singer joining Mize in the final trio. Mize has been the front-runner for most of the spring, and there's no reason to change that now.Callis: Casey Mize, RHP, Auburn -- Nothing was finalized as of Sunday evening, but Mize should be the choice, as has been expected for much of the spring. Bart and Singer also made the cut to the final three.

2. GiantsMayo: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech -- With Mize gone, Bart appears to be the best option for the Giants, though some see them looking at Singer, with rumors of a potential deal with high schooler Cole Winn still lingering.Callis: Joey Bart, C, Georgia Tech -- San Francisco is looking at the same three players as Detroit, and the Giants also could cut a deal with California high school right-hander Winn to save money for later selections.

3. PhilliesMayo: Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS, Oregon State -- The Phillies would have interest in either of the top two, and all the talk has been about college bats if Mize is gone, with Madrigal and Wichita State third baseman Alec Bohm the prime candidates.Callis: Nick Madrigal, 2B/SS, Oregon State -- Barring a surprise with the first two selections, Philadelphia will decide between Madrigal and Bohm.

4. White SoxMayo: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida -- Singer is very much in play, as would be Bohm in this scenario. Indianapolis high school outfielder Nick Schnell could be a backup plan.Callis: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida -- Singer appears to be the front-runner here, ahead of Madrigal, Bohm and Wisconsin prep outfielder Jarred Kelenic.

5. RedsMayo: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida -- They'd have interest in Madrigal or Singer, but with them both gone, India seems to be Plan A. This is the first spot where a money-saving deal was rumored that would enable the Reds to make a play for two-sport standout Kyler Murray from Oklahoma with their next pick.Callis: Jonathan India, 3B, Florida -- Cincinnati would love a shot at Madrigal, but it may wind up with India. Rumors persist that the Reds could take Texas high school right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to save money and make a run at Oklahoma outfielder/quarterback Murray in the second round, though they deny it. They also have looked at two more prep arms: Arizona lefty Matthew Liberatore and Florida righty Carter Stewart.

6. MetsMayo: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State -- The Mets would love for Madrigal to get to them, but he's gone, leaving them to debate Bohm, high school lefty Liberatore and prep outfielder Kelenic.Callis: Alec Bohm, 3B, Wichita State -- Known for leaning toward college performers, New York's obvious choice would be whoever remains between Bohm and the five college players projected ahead of him. But the Mets will take a hard look at Liberatore and Kelenic as well.

7. PadresMayo: Matt Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Glendale, Ariz.) -- Another spot where the Murray rumor pops up, but for now we're sticking with giving the Padres the top high schooler on the board. That could be debated among several arms, but Liberatore seems to be the best bet as of now.Callis: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) HS -- San Diego is believed to be locked in on high school pitchers, but it will consider some of the collegians forecast above if they drop. While the Padres may rank Liberatore first among prep arms, they also may want to take the one who will accept the lowest bonus so they can spend heavily later. (San Diego also is linked to Murray, for instance.) Of the four guys in the consensus top tier of high school pitching, Weathers could last the longest and thus be most open to accepting a deal.

8. BravesMayo: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (Melbourne, Fla.) -- The Braves are looking in several directions, with Stewart, Winn and Weathers the high school pitching options, Arizona prep third baseman Nolan Gorman on the high school hitting side, and South Alabama outfielder Travis Swaggerty available if they want a college bat.Callis: Carter Stewart, RHP, Eau Gallie HS (Melbourne, Fla.) -- If the first seven picks unfold as projected, Atlanta will mull the top tier of prep pitching (Liberatore, Stewart, Winn, Weathers) and the top power hitter available, Arizona high school third baseman Gorman.

9. AthleticsMayo: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama -- If Swaggerty were to go ahead of this pick, Gorman might be the lead name to consider, but the A's do have interest in Swaggerty's all-around tools up the middle.Callis: Nolan Gorman, 3B, O'Connor HS (Phoenix) -- Unless someone falls, Oakland's top candidates appear to be Gorman, left-handers Liberatore and Shane McClanahan (South Florida) and outfielders Kelenic and Swaggerty (South Alabama).

10. PiratesMayo: Cole Winn, RHP, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS -- It sounds like the Pirates are looking at college bats or high school arms as of now. Without a hitter that fits here, we're looking at the prep arms, with Winn coming out ahead of Weathers. Texas prepster Rodriguez, whose name comes up as high as No. 5 in this mock draft, is also mentioned here.Callis: Matthew Liberatore, LHP, Mountain Ridge HS (Glendale, Ariz.) -- This looks like the floor for Liberatore and the ceiling for Rodriguez and North Carolina prep outfielder/wide receiver Jordyn Adams.

11. OriolesMayo: Ryan Weathers, LHP, Loretto (Tenn.) HS -- Many feel the O's would take Winn if he were available, but he's off the board in this scenario. Weathers and Rodriguez come up as alternatives among high school arms, as does Stetson right-hander Logan Gilbert from the college set.Callis: Cole Winn, RHP, Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS -- All of the top high school arms are in play here, with Winn getting the nod over Rodriguez. If Baltimore wants a college arm, it's likely Gilbert or Mississippi left-hander Ryan Rolison.

12. Blue JaysMayo: Nolan Gorman, 3B, O'Connor HS (Phoenix) -- It sounds like Toronto is leaning toward a bat at this time, and it's hard to imagine Gorman's power potential falling too far. This is the first time Texas high school third baseman Jordan Groshans' name comes up, and the Jays could stay in their own "neighborhood" by taking Canadian prep catcher Noah Naylor.Callis: Travis Swaggerty, OF, South Alabama -- We're hearing bats to Toronto, with Swaggerty edging out high schoolers Adams, first baseman Triston Casas (Florida), Groshans, Kelenic and Naylor.

13. MarlinsMayo: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha (Wisc.) West HS -- Like with the Blue Jays, the buzz around this pick is about high school hitters. Connor Scott, the Florida prep outfielder, is a possibility, but Kelenic's bat and all-around tools could be too much to pass up.Callis: Jarred Kelenic, OF, Waukesha (Wis.) West HS -- Unless a prep pitcher drops, Miami appears to be monitoring many of the same hitters as Toronto. Kelenic would be a nice value here, as he seems to be in mixes all over the top 10, but he may not find a home there.

14. MarinersMayo: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson -- After a slow start to the spring, Gilbert's stuff has ticked up, and his name has had an up arrow next to it. If the Mariners wanted to go the high school hitter route, this is the first place Florida prep shortststop Xavier Edwards' name pops up.Callis: Logan Gilbert, RHP, Stetson -- Gilbert's late-season resurgence may carry him to the top of the second tier of college arms, which also includes McClanahan, Rolison and Florida right-hander Jackson Kowar.

15. RangersMayo: Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS (Tampa) -- Another place where money-saving deals are being mentioned, and Georgia prep outfielder Parker Meadows, and perhaps Edwards, could be in the conversation here.Callis: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (Cary, N.C.) -- Texas always loves high-ceiling high schoolers, and Adams has one of the highest in the Draft. The Rangers also would consider a prep arm if it slid to here.

16. RaysMayo: Triston Casas, 3B/1B, American Heritage School (Plantation, Fla.) -- The first of five picks for Tampa Bay on Day 1 of the Draft, it could start off with the Florida prep star with as much raw power as any hitter in the Draft. Schnell's name is mentioned here as well.Callis: Triston Casas, 3B/1B, American Heritage School (Plantation, Fla.) -- Tampa Bay gets associated with a variety of demographics -- high school hitters (Adams, Casas, Naylor) and pitchers (Florida right-hander Mason Denaburg, Rodriguez), plus college arms (Gilbert, McClanahan, Rolison), but not college bats.

17. AngelsMayo: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (Corona, Calif.) -- Turang was once thought to be a top-of-the-Draft type, but despite falling some, he still has good bat-to-ball skills and can stay at short, with the Angels coveting up-the-middle players.Callis: Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia (Texas) HS -- Another team not locked in on a specific demographic, the Angels could: beat Kansas City to Groshans; pull Adams away from football; gamble on Georgia prep right-hander Ethan Hankins, whose stock slipped after he battled a muscular issue behind his pitching shoulder; start a run on college pitchers; or take Oregon State outfielder Trevor Larnach, whom several clubs will consider from this point on.

18. RoyalsMayo: Jordyn Adams, OF, Green Hope HS (Cary, NC) -- Like Tampa Bay, Kansas City has five picks over the first two rounds, so it can be creative and aggressive in going after high-end talent, including someone like Adams, a two-sport standout who could go to North Carolina for football and baseball.Callis: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi -- Kansas City could be tempted by Adams or Groshans if they are available, or go for a college pitcher if not.

19. CardinalsMayo: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida -- Some think Kowar has better raw stuff than his teammate, Singer, albeit with less polish. Kowar's top two pitches are his fastball and changeup, which could remind some in Cardinals Nation of Michael Wacha.Callis: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida -- Unless one of the premier high school pitchers slide this far -- which isn't uncommon -- a college arm is the most likely pick.

20. TwinsMayo: Shane McClanahan, LHP, South Florida -- The Twins are said to be mostly looking at college arms or high school bats, so they could opt for someone like Naylor or Schnell in this spot. But we'll stick with college pitching and McClanahan, who has slid a bit because of command issues, but still has a plus-plus fastball from the left side.Callis: Jackson Kowar, RHP, Florida -- Minnesota could grab the last college pitcher from the second tier before they're all gone. The Twins could be the lone team to make California shortstop Osiris Johnson a first-rounder, and Denaburg, Larnach and Naylor also are possibilities.

21. BrewersMayo: Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State -- This is another potential landing spot for Schnell, but we'll give the Brewers a college hitter with their first pick for the third straight Draft. Larnach stepped up when Madrigal was hurt for Oregon State and really started to tap into his power consistently.Callis: Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Central Heights HS (Nacogdoches, Texas) -- If not Rodriguez, Milwaukee could grab one of the prep hitters or college arms projected in the few picks ahead of them. College outfielders Larnach and Jake McCarthy (Virginia) also could happen here.

22. RockiesMayo: Parker Meadows, OF, Grayson (Ga.) HS -- Austin's younger brother has his name popping up all over the place, with the Rockies potentially looking at prep hitters like him or fellow Georgian high schooler Anthony Seigler.Callis: Cole Wilcox, RHP, Heritage HS (Ringgold, Ga.) -- Colorado likes Wilcox and another Georgia prepster who helped himself this spring, catcher Seigler. This is the high-water mark for New Hampshire high school first baseman Grant Lavigne, who has late helium.

23. YankeesMayo: Ryan Rolison, LHP, Mississippi -- It had mostly been hitters coming up in this spot, and the Yankeees could go with Edwards or Lavigne. But Rolison was once thought to be a top 10-15 pick as a college lefty, and after struggling, has pitched much better down the stretch.Callis: Grant Lavigne, 1B, Bedford (N.H.) HS -- New York is all over high school position players such as Adams, Lavigne, Seigler and Turang.

24. CubsMayo: Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS -- This continues to be a good landing spot for the prep catcher who has made headlines because of his switch-pitching skills as an amateur. He'll be a solid all-around catching prospect at the next level.Callis: Anthony Seigler, C, Cartersville (Ga.) HS -- Another team homing in on bats, Chicago could go for Groshans, Larnach, Lavigne, Meadows, McCarthy and Schnell. If Virginia left-hander Daniel Lynch goes in the first round, this is the most likely destination.

25. D-backsMayo: Jordan Groshans, 3B, Magnolia (Texas) HS -- Arizona isn't sure Groshans will still be available, with his name coming up as high as No. 12 to the Blue Jays, and right in front of the D-backs to the Cubs. If he's gone, the D-backs could look at another high school bat like Matt McLain or a college bat such as Steele Walker.Callis: Trevor Larnach, OF, Oregon State -- After taking college performer Pavin Smith last year at No. 7, Arizona may go down that road again with Clemson first baseman Seth Beer, Dallas Baptist outfielder Jameson Hannah, Larnach, McCarthy or Oklahoma outfielder Steele Walker. Though the D-backs may love California high school shortstop Matt McLain more than any club, this is probably too early to take him.

26. Red SoxMayo: Seth Beer, 1B, Clemson -- Beer is a polarizing player in this year's Draft, but he has on-base skills and legit power. Boston could also look at Walker if they wanted a different college bat.Callis: Brice Turang, SS, Santiago HS (Corona, Calif.) -- Many teams seem to have soured on Turang, who won't go near the top of the Draft as once expected, but he's still a certain shortstop with hitting ability and speed, making him a great value here. If Boston doesn't have a high-ceiling guy fall in its lap, it could take one of the college performers mentioned with Arizona. Groshans also could be enticing.

27. NationalsMayo: Xavier Edwards, SS, North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.) -- Edwards has top-of-the-scale speed and looks like a future leadoff type, one who has cemented his place as a potential first-rounder by proving he has a very good chance to stay at shortstop long-term.Callis: Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS-- Washington has spent premium picks on pitchers with upside but health issues in Lucas Giolito (first round, 2012), Erick Fedde (first round, '14) and Jesus Luzardo (third round, '16). Both Denaburg, who missed time with biceps tendinitis, and Hankins fit that profile. The Nationals also like fellow prep right-handers J.T. Ginn (Mississippi) and Wilcox.

28. AstrosMayo: Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS (Mississauga, Ont.) -- Naylor's name does come up a few times before this, and some see him as one of the best pure high school bats in the class. He should get every chance to prove he can stick behind the plate.Callis: Connor Scott, OF, Plant HS (Tampa) -- A high school bat who slides is the best option for Houston. Scott has interest as high as the teens, as do other potential targets such as Casas and Naylor.

29. IndiansMayo: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Cumming, Ga.) -- Because of a shoulder issue earlier this spring, Hankins has been a little tough to place. But he did return the mound and appears to have a clean bill of health. He'd have to be cleared by a team's doctors, but he could be a steal down here if he stays healthy.Callis: Xavier Edwards, SS, North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek, Fla.)-- The Indians also figure to wind up with a prep hitter, with Edwards, Scott and outfielder Alek Thomas (Illinois) the most likely candidates with a good chance to get to 29.

30. DodgersMayo: Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma -- Hannah and his tools have been written about quite a bit in this spot, and he could still be in play. Walker has performed well for the Sooners this spring.Callis: Steele Walker, OF, Oklahoma-- Los Angeles gets linked to several outfielders -- Larnach, Hannah, McCarthy and Walker on the college side; and Meadows, Schnell, Scott and Thomas among prepster. Mike Siani (New York) is another worthy high school outfielder, but he may have priced himself into more of a supplemental first-round or second-round overpay.

31. RaysMayo: Mason Denaburg, RHP, Merritt Island (Fla.) HS -- Denaburg looked like a potential top 10 pick before he was shelved with a biceps issue. He did return late and made two solid starts, pitching deep into each one. A former two-way player -- one who also plays football -- there's a good amount of ceiling for him as he focuses 100 percent on pitching at the next level.Callis: Noah Naylor, C, St. Joan of Arc Catholic SS (Mississauga, Ont.) -- One of the best high school hitters in the Draft, Naylor could go as high as the teens, and could be a steal here. If he's gone, one of the prep outfielders could fit here.

32. RaysMayo: Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indianapolis, Ind.) -- He's mentioned in several spots above, though this seems more like the neighborhood he'll get taken. If the Rays think he'll be gone by here and really want him, they have the option to take him with their first pick.Callis: J.T. Ginn, RHP, Brandon (Miss.) HS -- Tampa Bay could balance its two high-upsidep-hitter selections with a right-hander with a huge ceiling such as Ginn, Hankins or Georgia high school right-hander Kumar Rocker.

33. RoyalsMayo: Alek Thomas, OF, Mt. Carmel HS (Chicago) -- The Royals are mentitoned with several high school athletes, and Thomas certainly is one. The son of White Sox strength coach Allen Thomas, Alek has a good feel to hitting and excellent overall athleticism.Callis: Nick Schnell, OF, Roncalli HS (Indianapolis) -- Groshans or Seigler won't get past Kansas City if they somehow last this long. One of the high school outfielders might be the best alternative. Among other position-player options, this could be the peak for Missouri State shortstop Jeremy Eierman and Alabama prep shortstop Jeremiah Jackson.

34. RoyalsMayo: Grayson Rodriguez, Central Heights HS (Nacogdoches, Texas) -- This time we'll have the Royals go the high school pitching route. Rodriguez's name comes up all over the first round, so if he's gone, Kansas City could turn to a prep arm like Wilcox.Callis: Ethan Hankins, RHP, Forsyth Central HS (Cumming, Ga.) -- If Hankins is fully healthy -- and he has a clean MRI -- he could be a coup for the pitching-needy Royals.

35. IndiansMayo: Jameson Hannah, OF, Dallas Baptist -- It's possible Hannah is gone by this point, and the Indians would have an interest in high school hitters like Edwards and Thomas should they be available.Callis: Alek Thomas, OF, Mount Carmel HS (Chicago) -- Cleveland will decide between the bats it considered at 29 and high school arms such as Denaburg, Ginn and Hankins.